Combined Synopsis Sol RFQ for LPC Amd 001.pdf

REQUEST FOR QUOTE

For

Environmental Compliance Research and Analysis for Haying and Grazing in Lessor Prairie Chicken (LPC)

Habitat

Solicitation #12FPC221Q0059

Amendment 001

12FPC221Q0059

Environmental Compliance Research and Compliance for Haying and Grazing Lessor Prairie Chicken

A. Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; QUOTES ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A

WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED.

(ii) This solicitation 12FPC221Q0059 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The Government anticipates issuing a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order for a twelve-month Base and two (2) twelve-month option periods three (3) year period of performance. The estimated award date is September 30, 2021.

(iii) This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through

Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-07 effective September 10, 2021 which can be found at http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html under the current FAR section.

(iv) This acquisition is an unrestricted solicitation. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 541620 – Environmental Consulting Services and small business size standard is $16.5 Million.

(v) Contract Line- Item Numbers.

Line Item

Product Description Qty UOM Unit Price Total

0001 Environmental Compliance Analysis – Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) Base

31 YR $ $

1001 Option Year 1

1 YR $ $

2001 Option Year 2

1 YR $ $

TOTAL Price $ $

(vi) Description of Requirement – This is a Request for Quote to provide research and analysis related to non-emergency and emergency haying and grazing in lesser prairie chicken (LPC) habitat on lands enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Refer to Attachment 1- Performance Work Statement, for a detailed description of the required services and deliverables.

The following listed attachment(s) are incorporated and made a part of this Solicitation.

Attachment 1 – Performance Work Statement

(vii) Date(s) and Place(s) of Delivery and Acceptance.

Period of Performance: 3 Years from Date of Award Base 9/30/2021 – 9/29/2022

Option 1- 9/30/2022 – 9/29/2023 Option 2- 9/30/2023 – 9/29/2024

Place of Performance:

Regional Environmental Coordinator http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html

Environmental Activities Division Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC) USDA, Kansas City

(viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following addenda also apply:

(a) System for Award Management (SAM) Registration All Contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management, or SAM prior to award of a Federal Contract. However, due to the need to promptly award a contract after receipt of quotes, registration in SAM, to include completion of the Representations and Certifications, and having a status of “Active” is required BEFORE submitting a quote. For information regarding registration visit www.sam.gov.

(b) Technical Quote Submission

1. Factor 1 – Technical Approach. In this section, the Vendor shall provide a strategic overview that demonstrates an overall understanding of the mission, strategy, and goals of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Based on the information presented in the PWS the Vendor’s quote shall clearly and concisely describe the technical approach to the project.

The Vendor’s technical approach demonstrate its technical experience in conducting environmental research and compliance related to listed species, habitat, and developing species-specific conservation measures for compliance with the Endangered Species Act. The Vendor’s quote shall also demonstrate technical experience with the FSA Conservation Reserve Program focusing on haying and grazing practices, frequencies, cover management, and Endangered Species Act compliance for ground nesting bird species. Emphasis will be placed on experience with the lesser prairie chicken. The Vendor’s quote shall demonstrate technical experience in performing fieldwork related to the Lesser Prairie Chicken and its habitat in the five-state region that the bird occupies.

2. Factor 2 – Past Performance. In this section, the Vendors shall provide past performance information on three (3) prior contracts, subcontracts, agreements, or other relevant work for services similar in scope, magnitude, and complexity to the requirements in this PWS.

The Government intends to make an overall determination of Past Performance based on a review of the following:

Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) Previous contract history

So that the Government may efficiently evaluate and verify the past performance information the quoter should include the following information for each example:

Name and Address of Organization and Contract Number Period of Performance Place of Performance Dollar Value Points of Contact with correct phone numbers, titles, and e-mail addresses to allow the Government to verify information submitted. Provide at least 1 verifiable contracting or technical point of contact. If possible, provide both contracting and technical points of contact. The Quoter shall ensure that information presented for http://www.sam.gov/ points of contact is accurate and current (i.e. current phone numbers, email addresses).

(c) Price Quote Submission

Pricing quotes may be submitted on company letterhead or the SF 1449 identifying the following:

1. solicitation number;

2. name, email address, address, and telephone number of the vendor;

3. line item;

4. item/product description;

5. Breakdown of price for line item to include direct labor and any associated costs per task area;

6. period of performance;

7. Labor category, unit, unit quantity, unit price, and total price;

8. Sufficient details to analyze the price and make a determination.

(d) All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. In order to be considered for issuance of a purchase order and award a contractor must provide a pricing quote submitted on company letterhead or the SF 1449. Quotes must contain the required information identified in Section (viii) b. of this solicitation.

(ix) FAR provision 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items applies to this solicitation.

52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (Oct 2014)

(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

1) Factor 1: Technical Approach

2) Factor 2: Past Performance

3) Factor 3: Price

Technical and past performance, when combined, are Technical and past performance, when combined, are more important than price.

(i) Rating Criteria

The non-price factors will be evaluated using confidence ratings (Table 1). Factor 3 (Past Performance) will first be evaluated to determine recency and relevancy.

Table 1 – Non-Price Factor Confidence Ratings

Rating Definition

High Confidence

The Government has high confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, and will be successful in performing the contract with little or no Government intervention.

Some Confidence

The Government has some confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, and will be successful in performing the contract with some Government intervention.

https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items

Low Confidence The Government has low confidence that the Quoter understands the requirement, proposes a sound approach, or will be successful in performing the contract.

(ii) Comparative Evaluation

Upon completion of Phase I and II evaluations, the Government may perform a comparative evaluation of the quotations (comparing quoter responses to one another) to select the quotation that is best suited to fulfill the requirements, based on the Quoters’ responses to the criteria outlined in this RFQ and their relative importance. The Government anticipates selecting the best-suited quoter from initial responses, without engaging in exchanges with quoters. Quoters are strongly encouraged to submit their best technical solutions and price in response to this RFQ.

Once the Government determines the quoter that is the best-suited (i.e., the apparent successful quoter), the Government reserves the right to communicate with only that quoter to address any remaining issues, if necessary, and finalize award with that quoter.

These issues may include technical and price. If the parties cannot successfully address any remaining issues, as determined pertinent at the sole discretion of the Government, the Government reserves the right to communicate with the next best-suited quoter based on the original analysis and address any remaining issues. Once the Government has begun communications with the next best-suited quoter, no further communications with the previous quoter will be entertained until after the task order has been awarded.

This process shall continue until an agreement is successfully reached and a task order is awarded.

(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).

(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.

(End of provision)

(x) Quoters are required to complete the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and

Certifications—Commercial Items. This must be completed at beta.SAM.gov and the registration must be in “Active” status upon submission of quote.

(xi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and addenda are not attached.

(xii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or

Executive Orders—Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and the following additional FAR clauses cited in the clause are applicable to this acquisition:

52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government (JUNE 2020), with Alternate I (OCT 1995) (41 U.S.C. 4704 and 10 U.S.C. 2402 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.203-6#FAR_52_203_6 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3

52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) (Pub. L. 109-282) ( 31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (JUN 2020) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note).

52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns (OCT 2018) (15 U.S.C. 637(d)(2) and (3)).

52.219-27, Notice of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (MAR 2020) (15 U.S.C. 657f).

52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (NOV 2020) (15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)).

52.222-3, Convict Labor (JUN 2003) (E.O.11755).

52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and

Remedies (JAN2020) (E.O.13126).

52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015).

52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) (E.O.11246).

52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) (29 U.S.C. 793).

52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) (38 U.S.C. 4212).

52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations

Act (DEC 2010) (E.O. 13496).

52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020) (22 U.S.C. chapter 78 and E.O.

13627).

52.222-54, Employment Eligibility Verification (OCT 2015). (Executive Order 12989).

(Not applicable to the acquisition of commercially available off-the-shelf items or certain other types of commercial items as prescribed in 22.1803.)

52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) (E.O. 13513).

52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) (E.O.’s, proclamations, and statutes administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury).

52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (OCT2018) (31 U.S.C. 3332).

52.222-41, Service Contract Labor Standards (AUG 2018) (41 U.S.C. chapter67).

52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (MAY

2014) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

52.222-43, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Labor Standards-Price

Adjustment (Multiple Year and Option Contracts) (AUG 2018) (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. chapter 67).

52.222-55, Minimum Wages Under Executive Order 13658 (NOV 2020).

52.222-62, Paid Sick Leave Under Executive Order 13706 (JAN 2017) (E.O. 13706).

(xiii) Additional Contract Requirements

The following additional Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) provisions and clauses apply to this solicitation and any resultant contract award.

CLAUSES AND PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

52.204-7 System for Award Management OCT 2018 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel JAN 2011 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance OCT 2018 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting JUL 2015 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.204-10#FAR_52_204_10 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section6101&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.209-6#FAR_52_209_6 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section6101&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.219-8#FAR_52_219_8 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.219-27#FAR_52_219_27 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.219-28#FAR_52_219_28 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-3#FAR_52_222_3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-19#FAR_52_222_19 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-21#FAR_52_222_21 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-26#FAR_52_222_26 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-35#FAR_52_222_35 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section4212&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-36#FAR_52_222_36 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title29-section793&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-37#FAR_52_222_37 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title38-section4212&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-40#FAR_52_222_40 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-50#FAR_52_222_50 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-54#FAR_52_222_54 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/22.1803#FAR_22_1803 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.223-18#FAR_52_223_18 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.225-13#FAR_52_225_13 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.232-33#FAR_52_232_33 http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title31-section3332&num=0&edition=prelim https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-41#FAR_52_222_41 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-42#FAR_52_222_42 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-43#FAR_52_222_43 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml;jsessionid=114A3287C7B3359E597506A31FC855B3 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-55#FAR_52_222_55 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/52.222-62#FAR_52_222_62

52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance AUG 2020 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications DEC 2014 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment OCT 2020 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or

Services-Representation OCT 2020 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items SEP 2021 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items FEB 2021 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items OCT 2018

52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items SEP 2021

52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases FEB 2021 52.225-25 Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Engaging in Certain

Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran—Representation and Certifications JUN 2020

52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors DEC 2013 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract Claim OCT 2004 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications JAN 2011 452.224-70 Confidentiality of Information FEB 1988 452.237-75 Restrictions Against Disclosure FEB 1988 452.246-70 Inspection and Acceptance FEB 1988

CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY FULL TEXT

FAR 52.204-21 BASIC SAFEGUARDING OF COVERED CONTRACTOR INFORATION

SYSTEMS (JUN 2016)

(a) Definitions. As used in this clause–

“Covered contractor information system” means an information system that is owned or operated by a contractor that processes, stores, or transmits Federal contract information.

“Federal contract information” means information, not intended for public release, that is provided by or generated for the Government under a contract to develop or deliver a product or service to the Government, but not including information provided by the Government to the public (such as on public websites) or simple transactional information, such as necessary to process payments.

“Information” means any communication or representation of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, in any medium or form, including textual, numerical, graphic, cartographic, narrative, or audiovisual (Committee on National Security Systems Instruction (CNSSI) 4009).

“Information system” means a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information (44 U.S.C. 3502).

“Safeguarding” means measures or controls that are prescribed to protect information systems.

(b) Safeguarding requirements and procedures.

(1) The Contractor shall apply the following basic safeguarding requirements and procedures to protect covered contractor information systems. Requirements and procedures for basic safeguarding of covered contractor information systems shall include, at a minimum, the following security controls:

(i) Limit information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems).

(ii) Limit information system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.

(iii) Verify and control/limit connections to and use of external information systems.

(iv) Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible information systems.

(v) Identify information system users, processes acting on behalf of users, or devices.

(vi) Authenticate (or verify) the identities of those users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational information systems.

(vii) Sanitize or destroy information system media containing Federal Contract Information before disposal or release for reuse.

(viii) Limit physical access to organizational information systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals.

(ix) Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity; maintain audit logs of physical access; and control and manage physical access devices.

(x) Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational information systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the information systems.

(xi) Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks.

(xii) Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws in a timely manner.

(xiii) Provide protection from malicious code at appropriate locations within organizational information systems.

(xiv) Update malicious code protection mechanisms when new releases are available.

(xv) Perform periodic scans of the information system and real-time scans of files from external sources as files are downloaded, opened, or executed.

(2) Other requirements. This clause does not relieve the Contractor of any other specific safeguarding requirements specified by Federal agencies and departments relating to covered contractor information systems generally or other Federal safeguarding requirements for controlled unclassified information (CUI) as established by Executive Order 13556.

(c) Subcontracts. The Contractor shall include the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (c), in subcontracts under this contract (including subcontracts for the acquisition of commercial items, other than commercially available off-the-shelf items), in which the subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting through its information system.

(End of Clause)

FAR 52.252-2 -- CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. (FEB 1998)

This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at these addresses:

FAR Clause: https://www.acquisition.gov/FAR/ USDA Clause: https://www.acquisition.gov/agar

(xiv) There are no applicable Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS)

(xv) Due Date for Responses

Responses are due by email on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 no later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The response to this RFQ shall be submitted by electronically to the following email addresses:

nnenna.njoku@usda.gov and vincent.palmer@usda.gov.

https://www.acquisition.gov/FAR/ https://www.acquisition.gov/agar mailto:nnenna.njoku@usda.gov mailto:vincent.palmer@usda.gov

The subject line shall read as follows: “RFQ 12FPC221Q0059 – Environmental Compliance Research & Compliance LPC”.

(xvi) Questions: All questions regarding this requirement shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Vincent.Palmer@usda.gov and Contracting Officer, Nnenna.Njoku@usda.gov. Please be advised that the Government reserves the right to transmit those questions and answers of a common interest to all prospective quoters. E-mail questions must include solicitation number 12FPC221Q0059 in the subject line to avoid oversight.

B. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION DATA

Contracting Officer Nnenna Njoku Acquisitions Division Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC) Phone: 202-260-9121 Email: nnenna.njoku@usda.gov

Contract Specialist Vincent Palmer Acquisitions Division Farm Production and Conservation Business Center (FPAC) Phone: 202-690-1719 Email: vincent.palmer@usda.gov

Contracting Officer’s Representative

TBD

Contractor

TBD

C. INVOICE INSTRUCTIONS

Each vendor must complete enrollment as the first user in the IPP application located in the Treasury Web Application Infrastructure (TWAI) environment and accepts the online Vendor Participation agreement. Use provisioning consists of logging into the TWAI website with the user ID and password sent to the user and accepting the TWAI’s rules of behavior.

(i) PAYMENT - Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoice Payment Platform (IPP)

Invoices must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Payment Platform System (IPP) or the Contractor must be willing to accept payment by Government purchase card.

The Contractor must use the IPP website ( https://www.ipp.gov ) to register, access, and use IPP for submitting invoices. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by calling

(866) 973-3131. Invoices submitted by means other than IPP will not be accepted unless the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing.

Each vendor must complete enrollment as the first user in the IPP application located in the Treasury Web Application Infrastructure (TWAI) environment and accepts the online Vendor Participation agreement. Use provisioning consists of logging into the TWAI mailto:Vincent.Palmer@usda.gov mailto:Nnenna.Njoku@usda.gov mailto:nnenna.njoku@usda.gov mailto:vincent.palmer@usda.gov https://www.ipp.gov/ website with the user ID and password sent to the user and accepting the TWAI’s rules of behavior.

(ii) PAYMENT - Electronic Invoicing and Payment Requirements – Invoice Payment

Platform (IPP) Invoices must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Payment Platform System (IPP) or the Contractor must be willing to accept payment by Government purchase card.

The Contractor must use the IPP website ( https://www.ipp.gov ) to register, access, and use IPP for submitting invoices. Contractor assistance with enrollment can be obtained by calling

(866) 973-3131. Invoices submitted by means other than IPP will not be accepted unless the Contracting Officer authorizes alternate procedures in writing.

https://www.ipp.gov/

Attachment 1

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Environmental Compliance Analysis of Haying and Grazing Practices in Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) Habitat on Lands Enrolled in the Conservation

Reserve Program (CRP)

Revision 1

06/21/2021

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

1.2 Scope

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Non-Personal Services

2.2 Business Relations

2.3 Contract Administration and Management

2.3.1 Contract Management

2.3.2 Contract Administration

2.3.3 Personnel Administration

2.2 Subcontract Management

2.3 Contractor Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

2.4 Travel / Temporary Duty (TDY)

2.5 Invoicing

2.6 Government Quality Assurance

3 PROJECT TASKS

3.1 Conduct Environmental Compliance Analysis

Project Meetings and Reporting Requirements

4 SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

5 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

6 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Government Furnished Property, Information, and/or Services

6.2 Restrictions Against Disclosure

1. INTRODUCTION

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Production and Conservation Business Center’s (FPAC-BC) Environmental Activities Division (ENV) requires professional services to provide environmental compliance analysis related to non-emergency and emergency haying and grazing in LPC habitat on lands enrolled in the CRP. Services required and associated deliverables are listed below.

1.1 Background

On April 14, 2014, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) provided the Farm Service Agency (FSA) with a Biological Opinion containing their analysis of the expected effects likely to result from CRP implementation on the LPC and its habitats, including the effects of returning lands enrolled in CRP to crop production after CRP contract expiration. FWS concluded that CRP planning processes, procedures, program activities, conservation practices, technical practice standards, and related conservation measures described in the Biological Opinion were not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the lesser prairie chicken. The Biological Opinion covered an 85-county LPC action area in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

However, due to subsequent litigation, the LPC was removed from the endangered species list and the 2014 Biological Opinion was vacated for implementation on CRP lands within the occupied range of the LPC. In 2018, a new Farm Bill was enacted and included programmatic changes to CRP. These changes included various forms of haying and grazing to maintain the CRP cover on authorized conservation practices. Several notable changes to the conservation practices in the 2018 Farm Bill differed from the allowable practices in 2014 and when the Biological Opinion was approved. These changes include: (1) emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing became allowed on all conservation practices and (2) grazing frequency was authorized every other year (non-emergency) and during the primary nesting season at 50 percent of the approved stocking rate (emergency and non-emergency subject to additional provisions detailed in 2-CRP).

1.2 Scope

This Work is for the required fieldwork, analysis, and reporting for the development of conclusions and recommendations of potential management practices for non-emergency and emergency haying and grazing that promote LPC habitat on CRP lands in the five-state region.

As implications of these actions will vary across the range, largely due to differences in landscape composition and precipitation patterns, the overall analysis should be conducted in a manner which allows application across all of the LPC ecoregions. This new research will build upon and include a literature review of previous studies related to haying and grazing and the effects of these activities in LPC habitat across the range of the LPC.

The contractor shall support the environmental compliance analysis needs related to the Lesser prairie chicken (LPC) on lands within the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP, a CCC-funded program). The LPC is currently proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These data will be incorporated into the Biological Opinion and other associated environmental compliance processes, as appropriate.

2 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This section describes the general requirements for this effort. The following sub-sections provide details of various considerations on this effort.

2.1 Non-Personal Services

The Government shall neither supervise Contractor employees nor control the method by which the Contractor performs the required tasks. Under no circumstances shall the Government assign tasks to, or prepare work schedules for, individual Contractor employees. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to manage its employees and to guard against any actions that are of the nature of personal services or give the perception of personal services. If the Contractor believes that any actions constitute, or are perceived to constitute personal services, it shall be the Contractor’s responsibility to notify the Contracting Officer (CO) immediately.

2.2 Business Relations

The Contractor shall successfully integrate and coordinate all activity needed to execute the requirement.

The Contractor shall manage the timeliness, completeness, and quality of problem identification. The Contractor shall provide corrective action plans, proposal submittals, timely identification of issues, and effective management of subcontractors. The Contractor shall seek to ensure customer satisfaction and professional and ethical behavior of all Contractor personnel.

2.3 Contract Administration and Management

The following subsections specify requirements for contract, management, and personnel administration.

2.3.1 Contract Management

The Contractor shall establish clear organizational lines of authority and responsibility to ensure effective management of the resources assigned to performance of the contract. The Contractor must maintain continuity between the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center Environmental Activities Division and the Contractor’s corporate offices.

2.3.2 Contract Administration

The Contractor shall establish processes and assign appropriate resources to effectively administer the contract. The Contractor shall respond to Government requests for contractual actions in a timely fashion. The Contractor shall have a single point of contact between the Government and Contractor personnel assigned to support contracts. The Contractor shall assign work effort and maintaining proper and accurate time keeping records of personnel assigned to work on the requirement.

2.3.3 Personnel Administration

The Contractor shall provide the following management and support as required. The Contractor shall maintain the currency of their employees by providing initial and refresher training as required to meet the PWS requirements. The Contractor shall make necessary travel arrangements for employees. The Contractor shall provide necessary infrastructure to support contract tasks.

The Contractor shall provide administrative support to employees in a timely fashion (e.g. time keeping, leave processing, pay, emergency needs).

2.2 Subcontract Management

The Contractor shall be responsible for any subcontract management necessary to integrate work performed on this requirement and shall be responsible and accountable for subcontractor performance on this requirement. The prime Contractor will manage work distribution to ensure there are no Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) considerations.

2.3 Contractor Personnel, Disciplines, and Specialties

The Contractor shall accomplish the assigned work by employing and utilizing qualified personnel with appropriate combinations of education, training, and experience. The Contractor shall match personnel skills to the work or task with a minimum of under/over employment of resources.

The contractor must have unique scientific experience in agricultural operations related to haying and grazing management of LPC and its habitat. They must have advanced degrees in natural resources, biology, and/or environmental sciences as well as experience with threatened and endangered species studies and biological evaluations in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Advanced knowledge of the USDA CRP program is desired.

2.4 Travel / Temporary Duty (TDY)

Travel to field locations will be required. The Contractor is responsible for making their own travel reservations and paying the associated costs. All travel requirements (including plans, agenda, itinerary, or dates) shall be pre-approved by the Government. Costs for travel shall be billed in accordance with the regulatory implementation of Public Law 99-234, FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs, and the Federal Travel Regulation.

2.5 Invoicing

Invoices shall be submitted each month for the previous months work. Invoices must be submitted electronically through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) system. In addition to the information required by FAR 32.905(b) each invoice must contain a breakdown of the total amount. Travel costs must be broken down by the individual traveler and documentation supporting the costs being invoiced must be attached and clearly indicate the traveler it is associated with. The remaining non-travel amount must be broken down into the individual labor category and rate identified in this contract and the quantity of hours expended. No other amounts shall be listed on an invoice.

Invoices shall be submitted as work proceeds and in accordance with paragraph (i) of clause 52.212-4.

The Contractor shall submit with each invoice the information required by paragraph (g) of clause 52.212-4.

2.6 Government Quality Assurance

The Government reserves the right to review all work products required under the contract for acceptability as needed. The Government shall notify the Contractor whenever revisions to reports/deliverables are required for the deliverables to be deemed acceptable.

3 PROJECT TASKS

This section describes the desired outcomes and specific performance objectives that must be performed.

3.1 Conduct Environmental Compliance Analysis

The Contractor shall perform an analysis of currently approved haying and grazing provisions during the primary nesting season on CRP lands within the LPC’s five-state range and analysis of general stocking rates, carrying capacity, and acreage allowances for harvest in LPC habitat on CRP lands. The analysis shall distinguish the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts to LPC and its habitat. The analysis shall identify possible alternative haying and grazing frequencies in LPC habitat on CRP lands as well as possible alternative cover management practices (i.e., stubble height, forage removal) related to haying and grazing activities which promote and/or improve LPC habitat on CRP lands, and assess the costs and constraints associated with the alternatives proposed.

The analysis shall include a delineation of connectivity zones, focal areas, likely occupied habitat or areas where suitable habitat does not currently exist and include regional haying and grazing recommendations within the 85 counties of the five-state LPC Region.

3.1.1 Conduct Literature Review

The Contractor shall perform a literature review and summarize all available reports, studies, previous research findings, and existing management practices related to haying and grazing and the effects on the LPC and its habitat on CRP lands.

3.1.2 Develop Work Plan

The Contractor shall develop a work plan to include the scientific methods and protocols that will be used and shall meet the technical objectives of this PWS (i.e. vegetation surveys or LPC ground based or aerial surveys).

3.1.3 Field Work

The Contractor shall perform necessary fieldwork as designed in the work plan to support findings and recommendations related to haying and grazing activities on CRP lands in LPC habitat within the action area.

3.2 Project Meetings and Reporting Requirements

3.2.1 Project Scope Meeting

The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR to hold a scope meeting to develop strategy, action plan, and a schedule for completing the required analysis, including methods and reporting.

3.2.2 Monthly Progress Reports

The Contractor shall provide monthly progress reports in a format approved by the COR.

At a minimum the report shall include, but is not limited to, progress and activities completed for the current reporting period. This report shall also be submitted along with monthly invoices in the invoice processing platform (IPP).

3.2.3 Final Comprehensive Report

The Contractor shall submit a final comprehensive report for this project.

3.2.3.1 Draft Report: The Contractor shall submit a draft report for government review and approval.

3.2.3.2 Final Report: The Contractor shall submit a final report which summarizes comments and responses from the review of the Draft Report. The Final Report shall incorporate comments received during the government review period in the final approved report.

3.2.3.3 Presentation: The Contractor shall coordinate with the COR to present the results, raw data, and final report to the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS).

4 SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES

Timely submission of deliverables is essential to successful completing this requirement. Schedules for deliverables are specified in the table below. All deliverables shall be prepared and submitted according to format, content, and schedule described in the SOW. All “hard copy” deliverables will be submitted on recycled content paper and printed double-sided.

Item No.

Deliverable Description Distribution Due

1 Draft Work Plan Develop a draft format and work plan for the project outlining scientific methods and protocols that will be used and shall meet the technical objectives of this PWS (i.e. vegetation surveys or LPC ground based or aerial surveys).

Submit electronically to the COR for review and approval.

Due 14 days after contract award.

2 Project Scope Meeting

Coordinate with COR to host a scope meeting to develop strategy, action plan, and a schedule for completing the required analysis, including methods and reporting.

Coordinate with COR

Due 30 days after contract award.

3 Literature Review

Provide literature review and summarize all available reports, studies, previous research findings, and existing management practices as required in the PWS.

Submit electronically to the COR.

Due 120 days after contract award.

4 Final Work Plan Submit the Final Work Plan.

Submit electronically to the COR.

Due 180 days after contract award

5 Fieldwork Complete Fieldwork in accordance with PWS.

Coordinate with COR

Due 24 months after contract award.

6 Monthly Status Report

Report documenting activities completed in support of monthly invoice submission.

Submit electronic copy to the COR and in

IPP.

Monthly with invoice submission.

7 Final Comprehensive Report

Develop a draft report for government review and final report which summarizes comments and draft responses.

Incorporate comments received during the government review period in the final approved report.

Submit electronically to the COR.

Due 36 months after contract award.

5 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENT SUMMARY

The specific performance objectives required include the following:

Task Performance

Objective Performance Standard Acceptable

Quality Level Method of Government

Surveillance

PWS 3.1.1 –

Literature Review

Literature Review is delivered on time as indicated in the Schedule of Deliverables, is accurate, and free from errors.

Must reference at least 90% of relevant former research reports.

95% Routine inspection of deliverable products and services.

PWS 3.1.2 –

Work Plan

Work Plans are delivered on time as indicated in the Schedule of Deliverables.

No more than two revisions of deliverables based on government comments.

Revisions that occur are minor and are resolved in a satisfactory manner.

95% Routine inspection of deliverable products and services.

PWS 3.1.3 –

Fieldwork

Activities are compliant with Federal law and regulations (Endangered Species Act).

No major or substantial fieldwork errors or deviations from the work plan requiring remobilization and rework of field data collection.

95% Routine inspection of deliverable products and services.

PWS 3.2.1 –

Project Scope Meeting

Strategy, action plan, and a schedule are accurate and free from errors.

No more than two critical errors in the approved schedule or action plan that would delay finalizing the work by the end of the period of performance.

95% Routine inspection of deliverable products and services.

PWS 3.2.3 –

Final Comprehensive Report

Reports are delivered on time as indicated in the Schedule of Deliverables.

No more than two revisions of deliverables based on government comments.

Revisions that occur are minor and are resolved in a satisfactory manner.

95% Routine inspection of deliverable products and services.

6 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This section describes the special requirements that apply to this contract. The following sub-sections provide additional detail for each requirement.

6.1 Government Furnished Property, Information, and/or Services The Government will make available the following:

(i) USDA environmental compliance and Section 7 ESA Consultation reports related to the LPC.

6.2 Restrictions Against Disclosure

The Contractor agrees, in the performance of this contract, to keep all information contained in source documents or other media furnished by the Government in the strictest confidence. The Contractor also agrees not to publish or otherwise divulge such information in whole or in part, in any manner or form, nor to authorize or permit others to do so, taking such reasonable measures as are necessary to restrict access to such information while in the Contractor’s possession, to those employees needing such information to perform the work provided herein, i.e., on a "need to know" basis. The Contractor agrees to immediately notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, in the event that the Contractor determines or has reason to suspect a breach of this requirement.

The Contractor agrees not to disclose any information concerning work under this contract to any persons or individual unless prior written approval is obtained from the Contracting Officer. The Contractor agrees to insert the substance of this clause in any consultant agreement or subcontract hereunder.